Hamilton a cut above the rest

December 27, 2015

Dec 27 : Lewis Hamilton won his third drivers' world title in virtually untouchable fashion in 2015, but in a year of pressures and problems both he and his Mercedes team ended the season looking anxiously at their rivals.

Hamilton

The 30-year-old Briton, who lost his focus and his dominant speed in the closing three races to his team-mate Nico Rosberg, won the championship with a month to spare.

His complete supremacy for most of the season left him ecstatic, and then vulnerable, when a period of intense celebrations saw Rosberg take over as F1's winner as the champion lost his way and, at times, his composure.

Their in-team competitive relationship was the focus of much attention and merited a warning from Mercedes racing chief Toto Wolff, who said that if they "crossed the line" in their sometime squabbles it could result in dismissals.

Clearly concerned that the tensions in their rivalry would become acrimonious and spill over into the team and cause a level of demotivation, Wolff later said he felt certain that both men understood their responsibilities.

"Nico and Lewis know very well what was meant," said Wolff.

"The spirit of the team is essential. It is one of the forces which makes us who we are and what we are... If there would be animosity within the team - that would be detrimental to the team.

"And I said that if we were unable to contain the fierce competition and it could spill over to the team, then we would be needing to look at how we would set up the driver line-up for the future."

The melodrama of their relationship was the dramatic highlight of a routine season, with Hamilton driving flawlessly to leave no doubt of his status and speed long before he eased off and Rosberg revived himself to reel off three season-ending victories.

"I actually look at the last three races as a blessing in disguise," Hamilton said. "If I'd have won the last three races, that would've been quite a lot of races won in the season and perhaps I would have gone into next season with less of a buzz, but actually, now, I have great determination..."

Both men agreed that their in-team rivalry was essential for them to maintain their own form and edge and, at the same time, drive Mercedes forward as the much-improved Ferrari team, boosted by their arrival of four-time champion Sebastian Vettel, showed signs of closing the gap.

"I hope that Toto always comes back to the conclusion that it's actually good the way it is," said Rosberg. "I can see a couple of extra grey hairs that have arrived. Maybe those are courtesy of us...

"

Vettel's impact with Ferrari proved that Mercedes have every reason to be concerned as he reeled off three wins and 13 podium finishes to suggest the Italian squad can make 2016 much less comfortable for Hamilton, assuming he can rediscover his mojo, and Mercedes.

Under new management, the scarlet scuderia improved throughout the year and, if early speculation can be believed, may try to recruit the year's outstanding newcomer Dutch teenager Max Verstappen of Toro Rosso to partner Vettel in 2017.

Kimi Raikkonen, who endured a topsy-turvy year, kept his seat for another season, but knows that the 18-year-old new boy has a talent way beyond his years.

He proved it with a series of stirring drives that contributed to him winning three awards at the International Motoring Federation (FIA) prize-giving gala this month - for 'personality of the year', 'rookie of the year' and 'action of the year', which was for his passing move around the outside of Felipe Nasr of Sauber at the high-speed Blanchimont corner during the Belgian Grand Prix.

"It's nice to win that because I really enjoy overtaking," said the big-grinning Dutchman, his arrival in F1 having given the sport a lift it needed as talk of buyouts, walkouts and financial problems swirled around throughout the year.

It was no surprise, after months of court appearances and persistent trouble with unpaid bills, when Lotus confirmed their takeover by Renault for next year.

It was more unexpected that Red Bull chose to continue with Renault as their engine supplier, albeit with them badged by Tag-Heuer, given the way in their relationship had collapsed as the former champions blamed the French company for their loss of power and success.

The biggest shock, however, belonged to McLaren whose reunion with Honda, as engine suppliers, produced a year of failures and frustration that two-time champion Fernando Alonso and 2009 champion Jenson Button endured with wry humour. They needed it. Passed easily by almost every other team, the once proud champion team McLaren were unrecognisable as a serious force.

Quick bites

Race winners: Lewis Hamilton (Australian GP); Sebastian Vettel (Malaysian GP); Lewis Hamilton (Chinese GP); Lewis Hamilton (Bahrain GP); Nico Rosberg (Spanish GP); Nico Rosberg (Monaco?GP); Lewis Hamilton (Canadian GP); Nico?Rosberg (Austrian GP); Lewis Hamilton (British GP); Sebastian Vettel (Hungarian GP); Lewis Hamilton (Belgian GP); Lewis Hamilton (Italian GP); Sebastian Vettel (Singapore GP); Lewis Hamilton (Japanese GP); Lewis Hamilton (Russian GP); Lewis Hamilton (United States GP); Nico Rosberg (Mexican GP); Nico Rosberg (Brazilian GP); Nico Rosberg (Abu Dhabi GP).

Life cut short: Popular and talented French driver Jules Bianchi died in hospital in Nice on July 18 from head injuries suffered in a crash at the Japanese GP in October 2014. He was 25. Bianchi joined the Marussia team in 2013 and competed in 34 grands prix. He was the first F1 driver to perish from a racing accident since triple world champion Aryton Senna in 1994.

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News Network
April 28,2020

Chennai, Apr 28: Former Karnataka batsman J Arun Kumar was on Tuesday appointed coach of the USA cricket team and listed earning a Test status, by his own admission a "far-fetched" thought at the moment, among his long-term goals.

Jak, as he is known in the cricketing circles, has worked with the Karnataka team for several years and as batting coach with IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab.

"... Following an exhaustive recruitment process, former first class Ranji Trophy and IPL player and coach, J Arun Kumar, had been identified as the preferred candidate for the next men's head coach," USA Cricket chief executive Iain Higgins said on its website.

The CEO added, "He travelled to the USA to meet support staff, selectors and players at a talent camp in Houston and to continue those discussions with us.

"I'm delighted to say that we have subsequently reached agreement with Jak that he will take up the role and be permanently based in the United States as and when his working visa has been obtained."

Arun Kumar was also in charge of a fledgling Puducherry team before quitting in February owing to differences with the association officials.

The COVID-19 pandemic has however prevented a prompt departure for the United States.

"Of course, the COVID-19 crisis has now presented some challenges around the scope of the role in the short/medium term, but we look forward to completing all of the arrangements and to welcoming him more formally in due course," Higgins said.

Arun kumar, who scored over 7,200 runs in first-class cricket and over 3,000 runs in List 'A' games, had guided Karnataka to a treble for two successive seasons -- Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Irani Cup -- in 2013-14 and 2014-15.

Delighted to get the role, the 45-year old said he has a vision for USA cricket, including making it a Test-playing nation.

"The first thing is based on my visa and when the coronavirus situation will end in the US, so it's all based on that. At what time my visa will be approved, that's when I will be heading there.

"There are long, mid and short-term goals and my vision obviously will be that the USA in the coming years will be one of the Test playing nations.

"It's a far-fledged goal, but yes, that's the vision and as of now the short term will be World Cup league.

"We will have to be the top side in that and then go to the next level," Arun Kumar told PTI in an interaction.

He further said the immediate aim is to get the team together after a bad run in Nepal.

"Priority is to get the team together, we had a bad run in Nepal, so obviously the team is on little down slide, so we will get up and the immediate short-term goal is to get in touch with players.

"This lockdown gives us time to actually know each other, although we are spread out in different parts of the country, and it is gives us time to connect better and work on certain mental and tactical aspects of the game," he added.

Arun Kumar had been in the US briefly some time ago and had met some officials, selectors and players at a camp in Houston.

"I met some officials, selectors and players at a talent camp in Houston and got an insight of what I can expect in the future and based on those we have designed a pathway for junior to senior cricket and women's cricket.

"It is a work in progress," he said.

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News Network
March 21,2020

London, Mar 21: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has suspended all professional cricket till May 28, delaying the start of the new season, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ECB took the decision following discussions with the First-Class Counties, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA).

"It was agreed that, given the current information available, a seven-week delay to the start of the season is the most appropriate approach," an ECB media statement said.

The Board also announced that it is working on three new options, including the three-Test series against West Indies, the T20 Cup and the women's schedule against India, for a possible start in June, July or August.

"Close liaison with the Government will continue, with discussions on the potential of starting the season behind closed doors and giving sports fans the opportunity to live broadcast action," the statement said on Friday.

"The potential for reduced versions of competitions, should the season become further truncated, will also be discussed."

The ECB said it will meet as needed to review the position and make further decisions as the UK situation unfolds.

"During this period of deep uncertainty it is the ECB’s first priority to protect the wellbeing of everyone within the cricket family, from players, to fans and colleagues across the game,’’ ECB Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison said.

"The decision to delay the start of the season has been essential, given the circumstances the nation faces. I am reassured by the collaborative effort from across the game that together, we will make the very best of whatever length of season we are able to safely schedule in the coming months," he added.

He said this would give the ECB time to keep pace with a fast-moving situation and continue to plan for how a revised season might look.

"Critically, we can also remain as flexible and adaptable as possible, within the obvious restrictions we face."

Last week, England's tour of Sri Lanka was called off mid tournament in view of the rising threat of the pandemic.

"Securing the future of the game will be a primary focus as we plot a revised schedule with an emphasis on the most financially important forms of the game for the counties across international and domestic cricket," Harrison said.

The COVID-19 global death toll has climbed past 11,000 with more than 250,000 infected. In UK, close to 4000 have tested positive so far and 177 died.

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News Network
March 19,2020

London, Mar 19: Talking about the break in cricketing activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa pacer Dale Steyn said that the disease seems to be to the only topic of conversation these days.

"I don't know how to describe it. Doesn't matter where you go, everyone is talking about it - whether it is on an airplane or you are just popping into a grocery store. It just seems like it is the only topic of conversation," ESPN Cricinfo quoted Steyn as saying.

"Yeah, it's so strange. Normally if I am on holiday I'll be planning a fishing trip or a surfing trip. At the moment I am just chilling at home," he added.

Steyn was last seen in action in the Pakistan Super League where he took two wickets in two matches.

When asked whether he has enough hand sanitizers, he replied: "We just decided that stockpiling is definitely not the way to go. It is not fair on everybody who needs that stuff. I went to the grocery store the other day and everyone had bought all the toilet paper. We have what we need, and when that runs out, that runs out, and we need to go and get some more".

"We didn't feel it was necessary to go and absolutely just, like, zombie our lives up. There's other people that live on a day-to-day basis. They are not going to get all of that stuff, so we thought it was best not to do that".

Steyn also had a message for the fans, "Stay healthy, wash your hands, look after yourself, don't be greedy. Right now they are saying old people are really struggling, so if in a position to help, rather help them than help yourself. Pretty simple, really."

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the ODI series between India-South Africa and Australia-New Zealand have been postponed.

The start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has also been postponed until April 15.

Cricket South Africa has suspended all forms of cricket for 60 days while Cricket Australia has advised all its employees to work from home.

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